This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/oct/03/dozens-feared-dead-as-hillside-collapses-on-town-in-guatemala

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Dozens feared dead as hillside collapses on town in Guatemala Dozens feared dead as hillside collapses on town in Guatemala
(about 14 hours later)
The collapse of a hillside onto a town on the edge of Guatemala City has killed at least 26 people and left hundreds missing as rescue crews search for survivors in homes buried by dirt and sludge. At least 30 people have died and hundreds were missing after a landslide struck near Guatemala City as rescue crews continued to search for survivors in homes buried by dirt and sludge.
Loosened by heavy rains, tons of dirt and trees tumbled onto Santa Catarina Pinula in a valley on the south-eastern flank of the capital late on Thursday, flattening dozens of flimsy houses when many residents had gone home for the night. Loosened by heavy rains, tonnes of dirt and trees tumbled onto Santa Catarina Pinula in a valley south-east of the capital late on Thursday, flattening dozens of flimsy houses when many residents had gone home for the night.
An aerial video broadcast in Guatemalan media showed the tree-lined hillside laid bare above a huge mound of earth, foliage and debris that completely covered part of the town, which hugs the side of a river in a deep ravine. Aerial footage broadcast in Guatemala showed the tree-lined hillside laid bare above a huge mound of earth, foliage and debris that completely covered part of the town, which hugs the side of a river in a deep ravine.
Scores of rescue workers labored through dusk to recover bodies from the tangle of mangled walls, beds and furniture churned up in the landslide. A Reuters photo showed the face of one person who had apparently been buried alive. Scores of rescue workers worked until dusk on Friday to recover bodies from the tangle of mangled walls, beds and furniture churned up in the landslide. A Reuters photo showed the face of one person who had apparently been buried alive.
Related: Guatemalan president's downfall marks success for corruption investigatorsRelated: Guatemalan president's downfall marks success for corruption investigators
Alejandro Maldonado, head of Guatemalan disaster agency Conred, told a news conference on Friday that as many as 600 could still be missing after the disaster, which he said hit 125 homes. Alejandro Maldonado, head of Guatemalan disaster agency Conred, said on Friday that as many as 600 could still be missing after the disaster, which he said hit 125 homes.
Later, Julio Sanchez, a spokesman for fire services said 26 bodies had been recovered so far at the scene. Search efforts resumed at dawn on Saturday and fire services spokesman Julio Sanchez said another four bodies had been recovered, raising the death toll to 30.
The dead included two babies and a mother embracing her two daughters, said Carlos Turcios, a doctor who saw them while assisting with rescue efforts.
“I feel like I’ve lost my loved ones because all my neighbors died,” said survivor Melina Hidalgo, 35.“I feel like I’ve lost my loved ones because all my neighbors died,” said survivor Melina Hidalgo, 35.
She was washing clothes when there was a loud crash and the lights went out. She found neighbouring houses covered in soil and mud. Felled electricity poles were giving off sparks and crying people searched for children, Hidalgo added.She was washing clothes when there was a loud crash and the lights went out. She found neighbouring houses covered in soil and mud. Felled electricity poles were giving off sparks and crying people searched for children, Hidalgo added.
Guatemalan media reported rescuers heard voices under collapsed buildings and earth as they struggled to dig people out.Guatemalan media reported rescuers heard voices under collapsed buildings and earth as they struggled to dig people out.
The landslide was one of the worst in recent memory in the impoverished Central American country. Last month, the country was shocked by the arrest of its president on corruption charges.The landslide was one of the worst in recent memory in the impoverished Central American country. Last month, the country was shocked by the arrest of its president on corruption charges.
Marta Guitz, 37, returned from work to find her house buried and was unable to reach Dany, her 17-year-old son, who she believed was inside.Marta Guitz, 37, returned from work to find her house buried and was unable to reach Dany, her 17-year-old son, who she believed was inside.
“My husband is there now shoveling through soil to find our son,” the domestic worker said as tears welled.“My husband is there now shoveling through soil to find our son,” the domestic worker said as tears welled.
Oscar Raul de Leon and his family abandoned their home and he looked for his cousin, but all he found were the remains of the relative’s home.Oscar Raul de Leon and his family abandoned their home and he looked for his cousin, but all he found were the remains of the relative’s home.
Earlier, authorities said at least 25 people were injured.
The government said 600 people were helping sift the rubble to pull out survivors while authorities set up a shelter to help people made homeless.